Lasiocyano is a genus of tarantulas (family Theraphosidae).[2] As of June 2023[update], it was a monotypic genus with the sole species Lasiocyano sazimai,[3]synonymPterinopelma sazimai,[1] known as the Brazilian blue, iridescent blue or Sazima's tarantula. The species was first described by Rogério Bertani, Roberto Hiroaki Nagahama and Caroline Sayuri Fukushima in 2011.[1][4] In 2012, it became the first Brazilian species to appear on the International Institute for Species Exploration's top 10 new species list.[5]
Etymology
The species name honors Ivan Sazima, a Brazilian zoologist who was the first to collect exemplars of the species. It is now considered an endangered species owing to smuggling and a shrinking habitat.
Description
The life expectancy of Lasiocyano sazimai is not known.[6] All of its body is iridescent blue in color, with the exception of the opisthosoma, which may be blue covered in reddish hairs, though some lack this reddish hairs. The tarantula may also be darker or brighter in color, depending on several factors.
Lasiocyano sazimai spiders are opportunistic burrowers, though they spend most of their time in said burrows. If bothered they will bolt to their burrows, though if this is not possible, they will not hesitate to throw urticating hairs, or make a threat pose.[6]
